Kansas Leaps Into Top 10 in Pair of Latest CBB Power Rankings

National outlets are beginning to place Kansas among the nation's best teams amid its winning streak.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 6:55am

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Despite a discouraging start to conference play, Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks have turned the tide of the 2025-26 campaign. They boast one of the top defenses in the nation and have begun to display their offensive potential with Darryn Peterson consistently in the lineup, winning their past six games with a chance to make it seven against a mediocre Utah team.

Why it matters

As the Jayhawks continue to win, they are climbing the national rankings and being recognized as one of the top teams in the country. This is a significant turnaround from their earlier struggles and could position them for a deep NCAA tournament run.

The details

Kansas began the week with a thrilling road upset over No. 13 Texas Tech, marking TTU's first home loss of the season. The Jayhawks have climbed to a season-high No. 11 in the AP Top 25 and have been ranked even higher in the latest college basketball power rankings from ESPN (No. 9) and CBS Sports (No. 6). The team's defensive efficiency, free throw rate, and 2-point defense have been key factors in their winning streak.

  • On January 24, 2026, Kansas defeated BYU at Mizzou Arena.
  • On February 2, 2026, Kansas upset Texas Tech in Lubbock.
  • Kansas will play Utah later today.

The players

Bill Self

The head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team.

Darryn Peterson

A key player for the Kansas Jayhawks who has been consistently in the lineup during their winning streak.

Flory Bidunga

A co-star player for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Melvin Council Jr.

A co-star player for the Kansas Jayhawks who is playing confidently on both ends of the floor.

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What they’re saying

“I nearly wrote off this Kansas team a month ago after it slipped to 11-5 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play. Since then: KU has won six-straight, three of which were vs. top-13 teams. They've turned a corner, and not coincidentally, that has coincided with Darryn Peterson's best stretch of play all season.”

— Kyle Boone, CBS Sports Analyst

What’s next

Assuming Kansas takes care of business against Utah, its next challenge will come against undefeated, No. 1 Arizona. A win next Monday would almost certainly launch this group into top-five conversations across the national media.

The takeaway

Kansas' remarkable turnaround this season, fueled by their stifling defense and the consistent play of Darryn Peterson, has propelled them into the national spotlight as one of the top teams in the country. Their ability to upset top-ranked opponents and climb the rankings has set them up for a potential deep NCAA tournament run.